Effect of an Energy-Restricted, Nutritionally Complete, Higher Protein Meal Plan on Body Composition and Mobility in Older Adults With Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Increasing protein content of the diet might be an effective strategy to preserve muscle mass in older adults undergoing caloric restriction, thereby preserving muscle function.
METHODS
Ninety-six older adults (70.3 ± 3.7 years, 74% women, 27% African American) with obesity (35.4 ± 3.3 kg/m2; 47% total body fat) were randomized to a 6-month higher protein (providing 1.2-1.5 g/kg/d) weight loss (WL) program, utilizing the Medifast 4&2&1 Plan, or to weight stability (WS). Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry-acquired total body mass and composition, and fast gait speed over 400 m was assessed at baseline, 3, and 6 months.
RESULTS
At baseline, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry-acquired total body, fat, and lean masses were 95.9 ± 14.6, 44.6 ± 7.6, and 48.7 ± 9.5 kg, respectively, and 400-m gait speed was 1.17 ± 0.20 m/s. Total body mass was significantly reduced in the WL group (-8.17 [-9.56, -6.77] kg) compared with the WS group (-1.16 [-2.59, 0.27] kg), with 87% of total mass lost as fat (WL: -7.1 [-8.1, -6.1] kg; -15.9% change from baseline). A differential treatment effect was not observed for change in lean mass (WL: -0.81 [-1.40, -0.23] kg vs WS: -0.24 [-0.85, 0.36] kg). Four-hundred-meter gait speed was also unchanged from baseline although trends suggest slightly increased gait speed in the WL group [0.01 (-0.02, 0.04) m/s] compared with the WS group [-0.02 (-0.05, 0.01) m/s].
CONCLUSION
Intentional weight loss using a high-protein diet is effective in producing…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.
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